Page 86 of After You Returned

“Two of my brothers are assholes.”

He scowls. “I thought you were taking your work more seriously. It’s the reason I agreed to let you come with me to the meeting withVelvet Blossom.”

“I should be at the meeting regardless. I am the sales manager for the distillery, and the restaurant chain is one of our biggest customers.”

He grins. “Right answer.”

I scowl. “You were tricking me?”

“You can’t blame me. I startedBuccaneer’swith this grand idea of all of my brothers working together on Smuggler’s Hideaway. But you, Kai, and Zane treated the distillery like a joke.”

“No, we didn’t.”

“Kai let Jaxon handle his responsibilities as operations manager. Zane jetted off to the other side of the world every chance he got. And you spent more time surfing than in the office.”

“It’s hard to give up on a dream.”

He slaps my shoulder. “I understand, which is why I never pushed any of you. You were all much younger, and this distillery wasn’t your dream.”

“Yeah, well, I can’t have my dream job.”

No matter how many years have passed since my accident in Hawaii, my stomach still sours at having to give up my dream of becoming a pro surfer. I was good. Really good.

I could have won the world championships. Gotten sponsorships from all the big brands. Traveled the world for competitions. Instead, I’m here. Stuck behind a desk selling whiskey and moonshine.

“I’m sorry, Miles. If I could change things, I would. Hell, I even asked Jeremy to design a new shoulder for you.”

“You did?”

“Damn straight. Do you think I enjoy watching my brother’s dreams get destroyed?” He shakes his head. “When I arrived at the hospital in Hawaii… The doctors weren’t sure of the damage. They were worried about your head injury. About how long you’d been underwater. I was fucking terrified. And lying to Mom that your injury wasn’t serious.”

I remember Eli being there when I woke up in the hospital – disoriented and in pain. But he never seemed worried. He was my cool, calm, competent older brother.

“Rhett and I discussed not offering you a job at the distillery. We both wanted you to find your own path. But when you returned home, all lost, I couldn’t not offer you a job.”

“And now I’m stuck behind a desk for the rest of my life.”

He wags his finger. “Not if you impress me at the meeting withVelvet Blossom.This is your opportunity to show me you can handle the big clients and our distributors.”

I blow out a breath. He’s right. I was too busy whining and complaining about life to realize this job doesn’t have to be a desk job every day. There are chances for me to get out and see the world. Not on a surfboard, but a surfboard isn’t everything. Some people are more important than chasing the waves.

“Okay. Let’s discuss strategy.”

Chapter 29

Exercise bands should be classified as weapons.

Hazel

“Come on,” I push. “You can do one more rep.”

“You’re cruel. This is cruel and unusual punishment,” Addy whines.

“Punishment is not being able to use your arm correctly for the rest of your life. Do your exercises, or you won’t be able to hold the microphone while you’re singing for more than one song. You’ll be one of those singers who uses a headset. Lame.”

Addy currently works as a waitress atFive Fathoms Brewing,but her true love is singing. She plays piano and writes her own songs. She’s amazing. But if she wants to earn her living through music, she’ll need to take a risk and leave this island.

“I changed my mind. You’re not cruel. You’re mean.”